David's vision is music

WHEN David Dean was 15 years old his vision deteriorated to the point he could barely see.

Instead of giving up, he took his love of music and turned it into a successful entertainment business.

David was just 16 when he entered the entertainment industry, trying his hand at live sound mixing and work experience at a Brisbane radio station in 1999.

Realising he had a knack for it, he immersed himself in radio, undertaking a short course at Noosa Community Radio Station in early 2000 before taking control of the rock and metal show for the next two years.

"Through doing this radio show I met many bands, managers, venue bookers as well as people in record labels and radio," he said.

"I became involved with Tsunami Magazine in 2001, which was a street press for south-east Queensland and northern New South Wales.

"I wrote a monthly metal column as well as CD and gig reviews and interviews for this magazine until early 2006."

David said his experience gave him the knowledge to write press releases, work with the media and drum up publicity for touring bands and shows.

"I put on my first show in 2001 at The Sands Tavern and started doing other shows from then on.

"I liked booking venues, shows and bands as well as promoting them. I have done many shows and tours since then on the Sunshine Coast and other places in Queensland and interstate," he said.

In 2002, David launched Hostile Entertainment in spite of his vision impairment and based himself on the Sunshine Coast.

"Many people don't realise I am vision-impaired and are very surprised when they do find out because of what I am able to do in all facets of my business," he said.

"I am fortunate in having screen-reading software called Jaws on my computer which makes me independent in running my own business.

"Due to these circumstances I started my own business around music which I have a love and passion for and which has become my work."

David said much had changed since he entered the industry in 2000, the main being the introduction of social media.

"There was no social media used to promote bands, shows or tours like today and email and mobile phones were not used as much as they are now," he said.

"I put out posters and flyers for bands, shows and tours in Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast as well as promo through word of mouth, email, radio station/shows and write-ups in street press magazines and newspapers as well as some advertising.

"I think the old-school promo and marketing that I did at the start have helped me as I still do these things as well as using social media today. I think you have to still do all these things."

While the advent of social media had broadened the way David was able to promote gigs, he said

improvements to technology in the past 10 years had enabled him to stay based on the Coast.

"I can work from anywhere in the world as long as I have a computer, the internet and a phone," he said.

"Many people in the music industry have told me that you don't need to move to a bigger city if you don't want to because of all the technology we have these days.

"The Sunshine Coast is growing and opportunities for people working in my industry are expanding but it comes down to who you know and how much hard work you want to put in.

"The Sunshine Coast has some really good musos, people putting on events and festivals, and running venues up here."

David hopes the music scene continues to grow.

"The live music scene is very important to keep alive as venues are disappearing all around south-east Queensland and there won't be anywhere for bands and artists to play if they keep disappearing," he said.

"People need to go out and support bands and artists as much as possible even if they are not very well known.

"It is getting harder with the big festivals. At festivals you can see many well-known bands and acts in the one day for a reasonable cost.

"I am a big fan of going out and seeing live bands and artists and more people should do this.

"It costs a lot to put on a gig if you are the promoter or booking agent or the venue, as there are venue hire fees, production, staging, security, advertising and marketing, and staff that need to be paid for before the bands get paid."